A couple of days later, I am awakened in the morning by a sharp knock on my chamber door. I bolt upright in bed, black hair falling in my face, and yell louder than I should have. "Yes? Who is it?"

"The Queen requires your presence," a muffled masculine voice answers from the other side of the door. My eyes widen.

"Uh, ok." I jump out of bed, tripping on the coverlet that has wrapped itself around my feet, and stumble toward the door, trying to wake up. "I'll be right out!"

"Very well." The man outside goes silent, and I rush to the changing curtain where a maid laid out my outfit for the day. I throw on another lovely dress, splash some water on my face to wake myself up, and then go back to the door, composing myself. I'm Asgardian. I have to act like it. I open the door. "I'm ready now."

The Einherjar leads me through the golden halls to a beautiful balcony that I saw a few days ago while exploring. It overlooks the city of Asgard, facing the Bifrost-or what's left of it. The Queen is standing at the railing, watching the brilliant colors of an Asgardian sunrise fill the sky. Even so, stars and planets are still visible, and as I've learned over the past few days, they'll be visible all day long. They'll just look...muted, similar to the way the moon looks when in the Midgardian sky at noon.

Frigga turns when the guard introduces me, and I drop a curtsy. "My Queen."

She smiles at me. "Hello, Victoria. Thank you for coming, and I apologize for calling you so early. I merely wanted to warn you."

My eyebrows rise in surprise, my heart rate picking up speed. "Warn me? Has something happened?"

"Not yet, but my husband wishes to question you later." Seeing my look of alarm, she hastens to soften the warning. "Oh, don't worry, dear. He will do nothing to harm you. I know he can be intimidating, but he wants to know the details of what our son did while on Midgard. You know better than anyone, except Thor."

My heartbeat is now racing, as is my mind. He wants to question me? But I can't be questioned! If I say something I shouldn't, I could change Loki's fate, and therefore the fate of the entire MCU! This is not good...I knew coming here was a bad idea! "But...I...I cannot be—" I begin. Frigga holds up her hand to stop my stuttering and alarmed protest.

"I know what you are concerned about, dear. But you are here for a reason, are you not?"

I frown, confused. "What do you mean, my queen?"

Frigga smiles. "Surely you don't think you were brought here by chance, do you?"

I blink. "I sent myself here, my queen. It wasn't chance, it was my choice." I hope that wasn't disrespectful.

Frigga shakes her head. "Why do you think you felt such a strong pull towards the door portal, against your better judgement? Why did my son not immediately kill you when you defied him? How have you managed to make your way through the most bizarre events you have ever experienced without so much as a scratch to pay for it?" Frigga's smile has become a confident smirk that reminds me of Loki. "You are here because fate wills it so, dear. All you need to do is figure out why."

I stare at her. Could...could she be right? Being a Christian, the idea is not foreign to me. But I've always believed we as humans can change our futures through the choices we make. I know God has a hand in every step, but I believe He leaves the choice up to us—free will has always been very important to me. But I'm no longer human...and I'm in a different world. Does that still apply? I know my choices still have effect—obviously, since I've made multiple choices that could have turned out better for me if I had chosen differently. But is "fate"—God in this world?—guiding my major choices? Was I meant to step into this world, meant to get captured, meant to meet the Avengers, and meant to end up on Asgard?

"Well...I suppose it's plausible," I admit. I look up at the Queen of Asgard. She has a knowing look in her eyes. I narrow my own. "You know more than you're letting on, don't you? Uh, my queen?"

Frigga's smirk widens in amusement. But it's not a condescending look. Rather, I can see that she wants to help me. "I regret to inform you that I don't know everything, dear. But I have a feeling that your purpose here is much greater than you yet know." She leans closer, as though to disclose a secret. "And I'll have you know, my feelings are never wrong."

I can't help but laugh. Her face is so comical that laughter bubbles out of my chest before I can stop it. Frigga straightens with a triumphant smile. "There's your smile. Keep it on hand, dear. You're going to need it."

I nod, taking her words to heart. "So...what should I say to the AllFather, your majesty? You know what will happen if I accidentally say something wrong—I could ruin what little chance there already is of getting this timeline right."

Frigga looks sympathetic. "Just be yourself, dear. Tell the truth as much as you can. You won't be at fault if the truth changes your circumstances."

Suddenly, I hear footsteps nearby, and we both turn to see another woman approaching. She seems a good deal younger than Frigga-probably around my age, at least in human years. Dark red hair dances around her shoulders as she approaches. She smiles at Frigga like a close friend, but displeasure flickers in her dark eyes when she sees me standing nearby.

"My queen." She murmurs graciously, sinking to the floor in a deep curtsy, eyes downcast. Frigga looks slightly amused.

"Rise." She says. "Victoria, this is Eira Erlingdottir, one of the young women in my care."

Eira nods briefly, not giving me a chance to speak. "Your majesty, I have an urgent matter to discuss with you. I was wondering if we might speak...alone," she adds, biting off the last word disdainfully as she glances towards me.

I return Eira's nod, but she ignores it. I feel annoyance rising at the way that Eira so easily dismissed me, but I decide not to say anything about it. I instead look towards the Queen. "I'll return to my room, my queen. I haven't yet eaten. When am I required to appear before the AllFather?"

"One of the Einherjar will fetch you," Frigga says, smiling at me. Seeing the apology in her eyes, I give the queen a reassuring smile.

"Thank you." I curtsy once more, then walk off down the hallway, feeling Eira's eyes on my back. But just as I turn the corner, I hear Eira begin speaking.

"Your majesty, I wanted to speak to you about your son, Loki."

My eyes widen, and I stop. After a half-second debate with my conscience, I make myself invisible and step closer to listen in as Eira continues.

"I hope I'm not being intrusive, but you know how much I care for him. I must ask...don't you believe that the Allfather's sentence may be too harsh? After all...he is your son...is there no way to help him?"

...what?

Frigga smiles slightly, and I can see the pain in her eyes. "I do share your concern, my dear, but I'm afraid Loki's crimes on Midgard were very serious. The Allfather will do what he must, though I shall try to soften the sentence if possible."

Eira nods thoughtfully. "I understand, your majesty. But isn't there some way you could speak with the Allfather? He would listen to reason from you, and, if you don't mind my saying, Loki deserves a better future than what I fear the AllFather will sentence him with...especially as your son and the prince of Asgard." She casts her eyes down modestly again, almost as if hiding tears. "I know I shouldn't, but I do miss him...we were so close...so happy, before he disappeared."

I stare at the young woman, shocked. Eira knew Loki? And they were close? Were they...?

Frigga nods. "Of course, Eira. I will see what I can do. Perhaps we can discuss this more at another time."

Eira lifts her head, a slight smile on her face. But there are no tears in her eyes like I expected. I frown. "Of course, my Queen. Forgive me for bothering you." She sinks low to the ground in another curtsy.

"Oh, it's alright, dear. I will send for you later," Frigga replies. Eira rises, smiling sweetly at the queen.

"Thank you, my queen." Then she turns and walks away, head held high, and not a trace of sorrow on her proud features. I narrow my eyes, studying her as she walks unknowingly towards me. If she truly cared about Loki...she would look upset, wouldn't she? Or is she that good at hiding her true feelings? I watch her walk past, comparing her actions to that of Loki. I'm able to analyze Loki because I know his past, and because I know him as a person. I don't know Eira...but if she is a fake, that was a convincing performance. I guess she really does know Loki.

"She means well."

At the sound of Frigga's quiet voice behind me, I jump and spin around. The Queen is standing with her hands clasped in front her, watching Eira's form disappear around the corner. I stare at her, and slowly wave my hand. She doesn't move, and I breathe a sigh of relief.

"I know you're there, Victoria."

I groan, making myself visible. Why does this keep happening?! "I...I'm sorry, my-"

Frigga smirks at me. "Don't apologize, dear. I would have done the same thing."

I can't help but grin slightly at that. "But how did you know I was there? First Heimdall, then Loki, and now you!"

Frigga looks surprised. "Loki can sense your presence when you use your magic?"

I nod ruefully. "Yes, he can. It's rather irritating, actually." I roll my eyes, remembering our last encounter.

Frigga looks thoughtful. "I see..."

I frown slightly. "What is it, my queen?"

Frigga shakes her head. "Don't worry about it, dear. You run along now, and eat. You will need your strength for the day ahead."

I nod, though my brow is still furrowed. "Yes, my queen." I drop another curtsy, a little deeper this time, and then walk back towards my room.

Why did she look at me like that?

Author's Note: What do you think of the newest character? Eira is just the first of several new characters you will meet in upcoming chapters. She was created specially by a very good friend of mine!

Anyway, I hope you all enjoyed the chapter! I am so looking forward the rest of this part of Timeless. I hope you'll all enjoy reading it as much as I enjoy creating it!

I love you all 3,000!

Signing off, AuthorsDream.